Product Knowledge29 Jul 20261 min read
Reading a fish meal Certificate of Analysis: the 8 numbers that matter
Protein is only the headline. TVN, histamine, FFA and sand tell you how fresh — and how safe — the lot really is.
A good COA is a freshness and safety report, not just a protein claim.
- Crude protein — the grade you pay for.
- Moisture — above 10% invites mould.
- Fat — higher fat means more energy but faster rancidity.
- Ash — bone and scale; too high dilutes protein.
- TVN — total volatile nitrogen, the freshness marker.
- Histamine — a biogenic amine that limits inclusion in aqua and pet diets.
- FFA — free fatty acids indicate oil oxidation.
- Sand / silica — a proxy for contamination and handling care.
Ask for all eight on every lot. We provide them as standard.
- #fish meal
- #quality
